courthouse of said county, on which will be inscribed 'Presented by Francis Vigo.'" Need for a new courthouse This structure served until 1866. In 1868, the structure was declared unfit for use. A temporary courthouse was established in a four-story brick building on the corner of Third and Ohio streets until a more permanent structure could be built. It was assumed that the original courthouse would be fixed and return to use, but this never occurred, and the temporary structure ended up being used for 22 years. The building of a new courthouse was stalled in part by squabbling among the city council and a special election in May 1871 in which the vote was 450 for and nearly 4,000 against the project, where it was then ordered that no new courthouse be built at that time. Second courthouse The second courthouse is a Second Empire-style structure designed by Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford. Construction Work began on the current structure when a 10,000-pound cornerstone was laid on August 28, 1884, with ceremonies sponsored by the Freemasons with a principal address by the Honorable D. W. Voorhees. This event was attended by many from the surrounding country as well as adjacent towns in Illinois. Designed by Cincinnati architect Samuel Hannaford, the building was constructed by the Terre Haute Stone Company at a cost of $443,000. The courthouse is made from Indiana limestone gathered from Stinesville, Indiana quarries. Cast-iron work in the roof and dome as well as windows and cresting were completed by Phoenix Foundry and Machine Works. Originally, the main floor consisted of offices, with two large, high-ceiling courtrooms on the second floor. Elegantly finished and furnished, the courthouse was heated with steam from a detached building to the south and featured a hydraulic elevator. In accordance with the will of Francis Vigo, the courthouse features a two-ton bell made in 1887. The bell was bought for $2,500, partially funded by the money left in Vigo's will. The courthouse was dedicated on June 7, 1888. The courthouse is of similar style to the Vanderburgh County Courthouse. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Gallery References External links Courthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana Government buildings completed in 1888 County courthouses in Indiana Samuel Hannaford buildings Clock towers in Indiana 1888 establishments in Indiana Buildings and structures in Terre Haute, Indiana National